York Language Electives 2025/26

York Language Electives 2025/2026

York Language Electives are available to students from across academic departments at Beginner, Elementary, Lower-Intermediate and Intermediate levels for Arabic, Chinese, Classical Latin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Medieval Latin and Spanish. Specialist language modules are also available, including Arabic for Research (final-year module, masters level module), Introducing Italian for Art History (C-level) and Continuing Italian for Art History (C-level).

In 2025/2026, students interested in taking a YLE should ideally apply between Monday 3 February and Monday 17 March through the form available on e:vision (under the ‘Your Study’ section). This will ensure that the electives are scheduled at a time that does not clash with your other core and option modules.

Some York Language Elective modules may be timetabled outside core timetabling hours (e.g. at 6 pm or on Wednesday afternoons). This reduces the risk of clashes with classes for modules that are part of your main degree.

Language electives level and code

Language electives other than the specialist ones listed above are available with different codes to match your academic stage (code ending in C = year 1; code ending in I =year 2; code ending in H: final year or masters level as a dipdown module). This allows you to take two language electives in the same academic year and continue learning a language if you have room in your programme, and the mark will count towards your average for the year like any other module. Please note that students can only take up to three elective modules across your degree, so you will need to check with your supervisor/department beforehand.

Which level and code are the right ones for me?

• When choosing a language elective, the first thing you’ll need to consider is the level of proficiency that is right for you from Beginner, Elementary, Lower Intermediate and Intermediate. This will depend on whether you have studied the language before or not and, if so, at which level, e.g. GCSE, AS Level, A Level, Beginner, Elementary, etc.

To choose which level is right for you, please consult our guide.

• The second aspect you need to consider is your academic stage, that is, which year you will be in when you take the language elective of your choice.
• If you are taking the language elective in your first stage (UG), you will be assigned the version of the module with a code ending in C, e.g. LAN00087C.
• If you are taking the language elective in your second stage (UG), you will be assigned the I-coded version of the module, e.g. LAN00090I.
• If you are taking the language elective in stage 3/final year (UG) or as a master’s student, you will be assigned the version of the module with a code ending in H, e.g. LAN00103H. If you are a master’s student, you would be taking it as a dipdown module.

How to apply?

For new students (first-year and visiting students) and those who missed Window 1 in February-March 2025, you can apply between 30 July and 22 August 2025. Before applying, please make sure to check the List of YLEs open for registration in 2025/26 to check whether the YLE you wish to take is running and whether the schedule works for you.

The application form is available on e:vision under the ‘Your Study’ section. Just navigate to ‘Module Registrations’ and look for ‘Elective Module Application’ to apply.

General electives available at the Department of Language and Linguistic Science

For language and culture modules at Upper-Intermediate level or above, linguistics and English language modules available as electives, please check the module catalogue by selecting 2025/2026 and the Language and Linguistic Science department.